Written answers

Wednesday, 31 May 2006

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

Commemorative Events

9:00 pm

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to hold a national day of commemoration of the Great Famine; if his attention has been drawn to the proposal to designate the last Sunday in May 2006 for a national commemoration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17887/06]

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I have long considered that the unfortunate people, who suffered greatly during various Irish famines, and the Great Famine in particular, deserved commemoration on an annual basis. The Great Famine, which was responsible for the death of so many Irish people and which ushered in the age of effective compulsory emigration that has only recently been turned-around, has had a great impact on the Irish psyche and its impact remains tangible to many of the Irish people. I am currently contemplating a Commemoration programme and would hope to take the matter further in the weeks ahead. I am aware that a Committee for the Commemoration of Irish Famine victims requested all people on the island of Ireland to observe a minute's silence at 2 p.m. last Sunday, the 28th May 2006, in memory of victims of the Great Famine.

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